Would like to talk more on why la Muslims all over the world just cannot decide on one same aggreeable date for 'Aidulfitr and 'Aiduladha, but then decided that there must be a hidden hikmah behind it... ;)

29 September 2008

Insha-Allah, starting from today, I'll be posting these series of comic strips, which is my favourite of all...! *grin* Thanx to Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman, I am able to share my everyday portion of a-must-take medicine with all of you...!

Baby Blues is all about the outwardly simple looking MacPherson family, but somewhat dysfunctional in the inside (are we all not just like that....?;p). The head of the family, Darryl is happily and passionately married to Wanda Wizowski, with 3 cute and adorable, yet can be monstrous sometimes, and amazingly annoying the other times; Zoe being the eldest daughter, Hammie the all innocent looking boy and Wren, the newest member of the family. They lead a simple daily life, which is why reading this strip makes you feel so connected to it. Simple and crazy.

Most importantly, they are not merely comic strips. They do have message(s), and it all depends on how you interpret it. Like this one, it illustrates how Wanda (a mother) loves her child, that being Zoe, so much that even the supposed moment of celebration when her child's first day in school can turn out to be a tragic occasion (it reminds me of my mum, who still hasn't got used to the idea that I have to be constantly away from the family...).

Well, I don't want to further insult your intelligence by keep blabbering about the hidden message(s) and talking nonsense! hehehe.. So sit down, enjoy the strips and laugh your heart out loud...! ;)

'Baby Blues' is a copyright of Baby Blues Partnership (Copyright 2003-2006) and distributed by King Features Syndicate. It appears daily in New Straits Times Malaysia.

From now on, there will be a new series of post, which I will simply label as 'arTy faRty.' I might be seemed as geeky@nerdy, but I also have a flair for art! ;) (Hahaha... I no i noe, it sounds so unlikely huh?? dammit!) And I do appreciate art, well, to a certain extent... Although your definition of art may differ greatly from mine!

When a piece of art hits me at the right spot, I can actually spend a considerable time looking, and adoring and appreciating it...! Like this particular one! Well, enjoy my choice for the first edition of arTy faRty!

26 September 2008

Recent studies have shown that the usage of cellphones, mobile phones or hand phones, or whatever term la you like to refer em, can indeed lead to the prospect of having brain cancer. This latest discovery was made by a group of American scientists, who disputed the previous studies done on the same platform as "...outdated, had methodological concerns and did not include sufficient numbers of long-term cell phone users."

Ronald Herbermann, director of the University of Pittsburgh cancer Institute emphasized the importance of the mass to learn from the past, referring to the failure to identify the link between smoking and lung cancer for 50 years, and to remove lead from paint and gasoline only after 70 years. He urged that before it's too late to do anything, it's better to take preventive measures from now.

Another pressing concern of this latest finding is that, children are more exposed to the possibility of developing brain cancer as the result of frequent usage of mobile phones. This is because, radiation from a cell phone penetrates far deeper into the brain of a five-year-old than that of an adult. Studies on the link between radiation from the cellphones with brain cancer have been further substantiated by Swedish cancer specialist Lennart Hardell and Royal Society in London to name a few.

Among their startling discoveries;

"...frequent cell phone users are twice as likely to develop a benign tumor on the auditory nerves of the ear most used with the handset, compared to the other ear."

and

"...adolescents who start using cell phones before the age of 20 were five times more likely to develop brain cancer at the age of 29 than those who didn't use a cell phone."

Woah.... What to say...? Shocking huh?? And to think about it, I've been using a handphone since I was in Form 3!! Of course la I'm terribly worried after reading this report...! *sigh*

Looking around these days, you can see kids as little as 3 years old own a handphone. And I'm not talking about using here. OWNING one! The reasoning given by parents is as simple as so that it would be easy for their children to contact them should anything urgent arise. Well, honestly, I can't really see what is so urgent for a 3 years old fella to own a Nokia N95! Even if it's a mere Nokia 1100, is it a pressing need for children nowadays to own one? Fine, probably is is justified for children nowadays to own one. Yela, with the ever increasing abduction case and what not, possibly, just possibly, that you might want to facilitate your beloved ones with mobile phones. Just don't spoil your child. Don't give 'em fancy and expensive stuff. Just the basic one.

In fact, from my personal view, kids with handphones are more exposed to danger, and I'm not referring to brain tumor. Imagine, a crook seeing a helpless little kid with a handphone in his hand, regardless la what brands or models he is using. It would be so much easier for the orang jahat to snatch the phone, wouldn't it? Worst case scenario, your kid gets injured, just because somebody is attracted to the Sony Ericsson you bought for your child and decided to do just anything to get if from your child's hand. In thinking that buying phone for your children will assist them in times of difficulties, it turns out to be a fatal attraction.

And what's with us, adults, to own 3-4 phones?? That's just ridiculous to me. Ok, 2 phones are acceptable. Probably one is your normal phone line and another one is your prepaid, just in case. Or for your business usage or what not. But 4? 5? For what....? To show everyone off that you have the money and are updated with latest gadgets? To tell people that you are such an important figure that even 2 phones ain't enough...? C'mon..

Looking back at the development of the mobile phones industry, it is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing products in the world. I still remember when Nokia first produced its 'phone xde antenna', as I would call it and which I was fond of, always dreaming to own one, that was like 5-6 years ago. And snap!!! (imagine org tgh petik jari... ;p) Not long after that, thousands of new models were produced in days. You can literally find a new model every week! It's really a multi-billions industry. Although Nokia is no more in my wish-list. My all time favourite will always be Sony Ericsson! *grin*

And I still remember clearly how hard I worked to get my SE W800! Hahaha.. And yes, I was delighted, excited and euphoric when I finally got it! ;) I still have it with me, still loyal in offering its service to me.

I guess now I have to reduce making phone calls, or accepting them! Coz I really don't want to contract brain tumor...

I know I know.... Needless to say, I myself have been waiting for this moment... hehehe...

A lot, and I really mean a lot has happened, since the last time (I can't even remember when!!) I updated my blog. What a shame...

Lets see....

After Australia, I went to Bandung and a week after that, I was invited by Lord the Almighty to visit his Holiest Shrine in Haram, to perform umrah of course. Masha-Allah, La hawla quwwata illa billah... =) What an experience! Insha-Allah, one day I'll share my beautiful journey to the most sought place by all Muslims, Madinah and Mekkah (don't dare to even think when...).

And now, I am in the middle of (not really, towards the end actually...) my intern with my sponsor. What to say?? *boring boring boring* But I do learn a lot from it. Especially about corporate terms and what not, that may (may not) be useful in the future... Duh.

I finished reading 4-5 books, and 3 alone by Paulo Coelho. I would LOVE to give my personal review on his books. Not now not now... I'm reading Yamani now.

Anwar Ibrahim has failed to form a new government. I'm still waiting. The infamous Saiful Bahari. Najib has been duly appointed to Finance Minister post. Pak Lah has been 'politely' asked to step down sooner. Fuel price has been reduced. Olympic. The subsequent Olympic effect. Lehman Brothers is history, while Meryl Lynch has been sold. Malaysia 'PROUDLY' retains its position in the corruption rankings. The ever increasing brutal crime rates in my beloved homeland. Bla bla bla and the list goes on...

And Ramadhan!!! Gosh time passes SO fast! And today, it's already 24th of Ramadhan. And what have I done so far to utilise my Ramadhan? The holiest month of all. The month which Allahu Subhanahu Wataala blesses His obedient servants with mercy, forgiveness and the liberation from the torments of the hellfire. Astaghfirullah.... What a shame...!!

So yeah, A LOT has happened. And I wanted to write everything. And I didn't have the time. And I didn't have the strength. And I decided not to write all. ;)